Curtain wall window gasket construction

ABSTRACT

A glazing gasket construction for a curtain wall installation which secures the glass in place within a rigid structural form and thermally separates all structural members from outside air. The resilient gasket has a configuration, in cross section, which includes a sealing strip with a planar outer face having one edge extending over the adjacent window pane and the second edge over the structural support of the building. Extending inwardly from the sealing strip intermediate its edges is an attachment leg which is secured to the structural member. When side-by-side windows are installed, the gaskets are placed adjacent each other with their second edges in close abutment to cover any exposed structural member and to thus provide a thermal barrier between the outside air and the building structure.

Uriited States Patent 1 Brown Mar. 27, 1973 l l CURTAIN WALL WINDOWGASKET CONSTRUCTION [75] Inventor: Howard R. Brown, Bowling Green,

' 1 Ohio.

[73] Assignee: The BS. Brown Company, North Baltimore, Ohio [22] Filed:Nov. 19, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 91,035

[52] US. Cl ..52/400, 52/397 [51] Int. Cl ..,.E04b 1/62, E06b 3/62 [58]Field of Search ..52/235, 397, 398, 399, 400,

[561 References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1963 Emmerich ..52/400 X11/1968 Fleming 8/1967 Horgan, Jr.....

l/1962 Owen ..52/398 X FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 5/ 1963Switzerland ..52/399 Primary ExaminerAlfred C. Perham Attorney-Owen &Owen ABSTRACT A glazing gasket construction for a curtain wallinstallation which secures the glass in place within a rigid structuralform and thermally separates all structural members from outside air.The resilient gasket has a configuration, in cross section, whichincludes a sealing strip with a planar outer face having one edgeextending over the adjacent window pane and the second edge over thestructural support of the building. Extending inwardly from the sealingstrip intermediate its edges is an attachment leg which is secured tothe structural member. When side-by-side windows are installed, thegaskets are placed adjacent each other with their second edges in closeabutment to cover any exposed structural member and to thus provide athermal barrier between the outside air and the building structure.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1 tion.

CURTAIN WALL WINDOW GASKET CONSTRUCTION This invention relates to awindow gasket glazing construction for curtain wall buildingscharacterized by a plurality of side-by-side panels or glass panesseparated and supported by a relatively narrow rigid structural member.

Modern architectural concepts utilize vast amounts of glass window areain which the frames for the glass are commonly composed of vertical andhorizontal extruded members connected together to form a grid. Oldfashion manual glazing practices have necessarily been consideration inthe design of gaskets of this type is the desirability of insulating thestructural members, usually made of extruded aluminum, from the outsideso that they do not conduct heat in either direction' when the insidetemperature is at variance from the outside temperature, in eithersummer or winter.

' US. Pat. No. 3,336,707 discloses one type of curtain wall gasket.While this particular construction and others like it in the prior arthave proved satisfactory as far as appearance and function areconcerned, such prior art gaskets do not enable installation orreplacement of the glass panes from inside of the building. This isparticularly important in the case of multi-storied office buildings'wherereplacement or installation from the inside is particularlydesirable in the upper floors.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a window gasketconstruction for curtain wall installations which contains thepreviously mentioned objects of providing a thermal barrier between thebuilding members and outside air, is capable of securely retaining theglass in place within the structural frame, and

. the gasket construction of this invention within the frames defined bythe rigid structural members. Referring next to FIG. 2, an installationis shown which includes a rigid structural member 11 which is a part oran extension of a horizontal floor or building platform. Of course thismember 11, in vertical position, would be a part of or an extension of awall, space divider or curtain wall section. Extending outwardly fromthe rigid member 11 is a rigid yoke 12 whose end 13 terminates beyondthe plane of the outer surface of the glass panes 10. Each side of theend 13 of the yoke 12 i replaced to a very large extent by various typesof glazhas a ridge 14 extending beyond the upper or lower surfaces ofthe yoke 12 which provides a means of attachment to the glazing gasketas will be subsequently described. Removably secured to the rigid member11 and yoke 12 are a pair of laterally extending, rigid extrudedsections 15 or 16 which can be removably snapped in place as will beapparent to those skilled in the art. The particularconfiguration of therigid sections 15 and 16 or the manner of their attachment to the rigidmember 11 and yoke 12 is not an important part of the instant inventionand the illustrated embodiment is only an example.

Referring to FIG. 4, the glazing gasket construction of this inventionincludes, in cross section, an outer tion 23 of the sealing stripl7terminates in .an abutpermits installation of panes from either insideor outside the building. 1

' Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof,with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. Us a view in elevation of a portion of a curtain wall constructionhaving adjacent glass panes supported by structural members and theglazing gasket construction of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. landshown on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 andshown on an enlarged scale; and

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view in perspective of a short section ofthe glazing gasket used with this inven- Referring first to FIG. 1, asmall portion of a typical curtain wall installation is shown at thebottom of the wall with adjacent glass'panes 10 and 10a supported bysealing strip 17 having a generally planar outer'face. 18 and a normallyextending attachment leg .19. extending from the inner surface of thesealing strip 17. The sealing strip 17 has afirst upper section20, asshown in FIG. 4, terminating in an edge 21 which is slightly beveledtowards the outer face 18. The inner comer of the edge 21 has aprotruding lip 22 which will bear against the glass pane l0-wheninstalled. The lower secment edge 24 which is substantially normal tothe outer surface 18. The intersection between the inner surface of thelower section 23 and the lower surface of the attachment leg 19 has anundercut groove or re-entrant channel 25 complementarily shaped with theridge 14 on the rigid yoke 12 as shown in FIG. 2. Finally, the inner endof the attachment leg 19 hasa tapered end with a notch or re-entrantchannel 26 shaped to catch upon a hook 27 on the rigid yoke 12 asshownin FIG. 2.

. The gasket configuration, in its non-installed condition as shown inFIG. 4, has the edges 21 and 24 turned slightly inwardly, as shown inthe solid line. position so that, when installed, these edges are forcedoutwardly to the'dotted line position and tightly bear upon the glasspane l0 and the end 13 of the rigid yoke 12 as shown in FIG. 2.

Installation of the gasket is' understood with reference to FIG. 2. FIG.2 illustrates an installation where the upper pane 10 is a single glasspane and the lower pane-10a is shown as a double pane, insulating typewindow. Naturally, a single curtain wall would most likely include glassof the same type and this figure is for illustrative purposes only toshow the manner in which either type of pane can be accommodated. Ininstalling the glass panes herein, the gasket is attached on all foursides-of the building grid by forcing the end of the attachment legunder the hook 27 and then seating the gasket upon the yoke 12 so thatthe ridge 14 seats within its complementarily shaped channel '25. Next,frominside the building, the glass 10 is inserted within the frameformed by the gaskets so that it rests upon the upper surface of theattachment leg 19, as shown. The rigid section 15 is next snapped inplace. Finally, a resilient wedge member 28 is forced between the innersurface of the pane and the opposed edge of the rigid section to firmlyanchor the glass. The same procedure would be carried out with the lowerpane 10a with the exception that the rigid section 16 is secured to thestructural member 11 in a different position to accommodate the thickerdouble pane 10a.

With the glass installed as shown in FIG. 2, there is no possiblecontact between the glass pane l0 and 10a and any of the rigidstructural members so that any working due to wind loads or accidentalblows from inside the building cannot possibly force the edge of theglass against a rigid member which might cause it to -crack. The twolower sections 23 of the adjacent gaskets closely abut each other sothat the end 13 of the yoke 12 is fully covered and insulated fromoutside air. This accomplishes the thermal insulation previouslydescribed and also presents a pleasing appearance from outside of thebuilding because the two gasket sections blend together to form onecontinuous strip extending between adjacent panes. It may be desirableto apply some sort of sealing or mastic. between the adjacent abutmentedges 24 but is not necessary because it is practically impossible forany moisture to lead into the building or around the glass edges due tothe tortuous path between the closely engaged gasket and yoke 12surfaces.

FIG. 3 shows a modification of the construction shown in FIG. 2 whichwould typically be used at the bottom window of a curtain wall. In thisinstallation, the general shape of the glazing gasket is identical withthat previously described. On the lower side of the yoke 12 is amodified gasket shape which is for use at the bottom or top of theinstallation and accordingly has no second section for extending downover an adjacent window. In the event that it is desired to enableinstallation of the pane from outside of the building, a recess 29 maybe provided in the outer surface 18 of the upper section of the sealingstrip 17, as shown in FIG. 3. This recess is shaped to receive acomplementarily shaped resilient wedge or zipper 30. The recess 29provides a web 31 of reduced cross section so that the entire uppersection 20 can be bent outwardly so that its inside surface issubstantially horizontal so that the glass pane may be installeddirectly within the frame. With the glass pane so installed, the uppersection is allowed to return to its upright position and the zipper iswedged in the recess 29 to complete the installation. Otherwise, thepane may be installed from the inside using the wedge 28 and a removablerigid piece 32.

A gasket grid for use with a multi window curtain wall can be fabricatedfrom sections of extruded resilient gasket material either at thefactory or at the side of installation, depending upon the size of theinstallation, capabilities of the contractor, etc. If all glassinstallations are to be made from the inside of the building, it is notnecessary to. use the configuration shown in FIG. 3 and the adjacentcorners of horizontal and vertical gasket members, at their miteredintersections, indicated by reference numeral 33 in FIG. 1, can besealed together or vulcanized prior to installation on parent to thoseskilled in the art and'the same may be made without departing from thescope of the following claims. i

What I claimed is:

1. A glazing construction for side-by-side glass panes supported by aninterior fixed structural member,-said construction comprising a. arigid yoke secured to said structural member and extendingi normal tothe plane of said panes between the opposed edges of adjacent glasspanes and terminating in an outer end positioned beyond the outersurface of said panes, the upper and lower edges of the outer end ofsaid rigid yoke having a re-entrant ridge extending normal to said yokeand parallel to the plane of said glass panes,

b. a pair of resilient glazing gaskets secured to opposite sides of saidyoke to position and hold the edges of said adjacent panes, each of saidgaskets comprising, in cross-section,

1. an attachment leg extending parallel to and alongside said yokenormal to said glass pane to provide a generally planar support surfaceto engage and position the edge of said glass pane with the extremeinner end of said attachment leg having a re-entrant hook portion forinsertion within a shaped recess in said yoke by lateral movement ofsaid gasket inwardly parallel to said yoke and normal to said glasspane,

2. a sealing strip extending normal to said attachment leg and adjacentthe outer end of said rigid yoke, said sealing strip including a firstsection adjacent the outer surface of said glass pane and a secondsection extending away from and parallel to said first section and itsrespective glass pane over the outer end of said rigid yoke andterminating in an abutment edge closely adjacent that of the othergasket member to cover said yoke outer end with the inner surface ofsaid second section lying adjacent and-parallel to said yoke outer end,and

3. a channel extending into said attachment leg along the line ofjuncture of said inner surface of said second section of said sealingstrip with said attachment leg, said channel shaped to receive saidridge of said rigidyoke by movement of said gasket toward said yoke andparallel to said plane of said glass pane whereby engagement of saidchannel of said gasket with said yoke ridge will prevent lateralmovement of said gasket parallel to said yoke and normal to said planeof said glass pane. V I

2. The construction of claim 1 wherein said rigid yoke includes anormally extending spacer removably secured to said yoke inside theinner surface of said glass pane and extending normally beyond the edgesthereof, and a resilient wedge positioned between the opposed inner panesurface of said normally extending spacer.

d be installed and a

1. A glazing construction for side-by-side glass panes supported by an interior fixed structural member, said construction comprising a. a rigid yoke secured to said structural member and extending normal to the plane of said panes between the opposed edges of adjacent glass panes and terminating in an outer end positioned beyond the outer surface of said panes, the upper and lower edges of the outer end of said rigid yoke having a re-entrant ridge extending normal to said yoke and parallel to the plane of said glass panes, b. a pair of resilient glazing gaskets secured to opposite sides of said yoke to position and hold the edges of said adjacent panes, each of said gaskets comprising, in cross-section,
 1. an attachment leg extending parallel to and alongside said yoke normal to said glass pane to provide a generally planar support surface to engage and position the edge of said glass pane with the extreme inner end of said attachment leg having a re-entrant hook portion for insertion within a shaped recess in said yoke by lateral movement of said gasket inwardly parallel to said yoke and normal to said glass pane,
 2. a sealing strip extending normal to said attachment leg and adjacent the outer end of said rigid yoke, said sealing strip including a first section adjacent the outer surface of said glass pane and a second section extending away from and parallel to said first section and its respective glass pane over the outer end of said rigid yoke and terminating in an abutment edge closely adjacent that of the other gasket member to cover said yoke outer end with the inner surface of said second section lying adjacent and parallel to said yoke outer end, and
 3. a channel extending into said attachment leg along the line of juncture of said inner surface of said second section of said sealing strip with said attachment leg, said channel shaped to receive said ridge of said rigid yoke by movement of said gasket toward said yoke and parallel to said plane of said glass pane whereby engagement of said channel of said gasket with said yoke ridge will prevent lateral movement of said gasket parallel to said yoke and normal to said plane of said glass pane.
 2. a sealing strip extending normal to said attachment leg and adjacent the outer end of said rigid yoke, said sealing strip including a first section adjacent the outer surface of said glass pane and a second section extending away from and parallel to said first section and its respective glass pane over the outer end of said rigid yoke and terminating in an abutment edge closely adjacent that of the other gasket member to cover said yoke outer end with the inner surface of said second section lying adjacent and parallel to said yoke outer end, and
 2. The construction of claim 1 wherein said rigid yoke includes a normally extending spacer removably secured to said yoke inside the inner surface of said glass pane and extending normally beyond the edges thereof, and a resilient wedge positioned between the opposed inner pane surface of said normally extending spacer.
 3. a channel extending into said attachment leg along the line of juncture of said inner surface of said second section of said sealing strip with said attachment leg, said channel shaped to receive said ridge of said rigid yoke by movement of said gasket toward said yoke and parallel to said plane of said glass pane whereby engagement of said channel of said gasket with said yoke ridge will prevent lateral movement of said gasket parallel to said yoke and normal to said plane of said glass pane. 